Spain’s 2024 Vintage: rain causes both challenges and triumphs

This is a vintage we will remember due to the rain. Although it wasn’t wet everywhere, in some areas, rainfall had devastating effects, as we sadly saw in Valencia this October, where the DANA had tragic consequences.

But let’s get back to the start of the story.  After two years of extreme heat and drought, the rains in winter and spring brought some respite to northern and central Spain. However, as yields are dependent on the rainfall that fell in the previous year, the impact of the previous years’ water scarcity continued to affect yields.

The supplier of our De Pro Cava explained the situation in the historic cava areas of Cataluña:

“The 2024 Harvest will be remembered as one of the most challenging in recent decades due to the difficult weather conditions. The vineyards were exposed to unprecedented water stress caused by a historic drought. The final yield for the 2024 harvest could still be down by an additional 4% compared to the previous harvest, which was already the lowest on record. 2023 saw a 45% reduction in yield compared to the average of the past eight years.”

The good news is that the rainfall this year should allow for greater volume in the 2025 harvest.

As for quality, our Cava producer explained that, “We are extremely pleased with the quality and maturity of the grapes from the 2024 harvest, which will allow them to produce high-quality wines. The acidity well-balanced, with an ideal pH and small berries contributing to great aromatic concentration.”

Other areas in the east, also struggled with drought, as did both of Spain’s archipelagos. These areas experienced reduced yields, with some, like Jumilla, seeing very low production as even the typically drought-resistant Monastrell vines struggled.

In northern Spain, more abundant precipitation caused problems with fertility in spring, fungal diseases in summer and disrupted harvests.  Rioja, for example, experienced its wettest vintage since 2018, resulting in a significantly reduced harvest, potentially the smallest of the century, with growers scrambling to harvest grapes between downpours.

Despite the regional variations and challenges, the overall outlook for Spain’s 2024 vintage appears positive in terms of quality. Many winemakers believe that the grapes, while fewer in number, will produce wines with good freshness, balance, and longevity.